Becca Levy of the Yale School of Public Health recently uncovered a survival benefit associated with positive images of aging. In a follow-up to the Ohio Longitudinal Study on Aging, Levy found those who expressed a more positive self-perception of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those holding more negative perceptions. This finding is the strongest evidence to date that negative stereotypes can be an important health hazard.

People with positive perceptions of aging also:

• Experience much higher rates of recovery from illness and injury.

• Have better brain performance and improved memory.

• Have a greater sense of control over their lives and a greater will to live.

• Are more likely to talk to a doctor about health problems, get preventive care such as blood pressure screenings and flu shots, and pursue health promotion programs.

Even with this research knowledge, maintaining a positive perception of aging is challenging for some people due to the prevalence of ageism in our society. Ageism is prejudice or discrimination against or in favor of an age group.

Ageist views can come from many sources, including a lack of knowledge about older people, lack of close interactions with older people or a fear of becoming old, which translates into a desire to distance one’s self from “being old.”

Common stereotypes depict old age as a time of poor health and functioning or a regression to childhood. Aging stereotypes can be positive or negative, with some people holding multiple views of a person or group.

Ageist stereotypes have potentially harmful consequences. For example, people subjected to negative stereotyping may adopt the negative views and act accordingly with detrimental effects to their self-image, confidence and abilities.

Examining our personal views on aging, as well as the messages we are getting around us, is important. Encourage others to join you in promoting positive perceptions of aging that can influence our physical and mental health, and even longevity.

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Vanessa Hoines is an extension agent with NDSU Extension/Morton County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science education and food and nutrition and a master’s degree in child development and family science.